Rooftop bars in Malaysia

The tranquil town of Ipoh is having its time in the sun at the moment as an alternative to the usual touristic destinations in the country. There may not be many tall buildings or much to see when compared to other cities, but this cosy bar is all about intimate vibes and a comfortable ambience. MÙ Bar is on the rooftop of the MÙ Hotel, a boutique establishment located in the city centre, and is worth checking out for a drink or two to accompany a very chilled out evening.

MÙ Hotel, 18 Jalan Chung On Siew, Ipoh, Perak (05 240 6888/fb.com/MuBarIpoh).

Gravity is the rooftop bar at the G Hotel Kelawai and has panoramic views of the hills on one side and the sea on the other. Located on the 24th level, head here on a clear day for chilled out sundowners; after all, you are on an island. There’s enough on the cocktail list to keep you occupied and the Rainbow Margaritas are especially popular with their vivid colours and flavours. Bar bites are available, and the in-house pizzas are a good foil for those colourful cocktails!

G Hotel Kelawai, 2 Lorong Maktab, George Town, Penang (04 219 0000/ghotelkelawai.com.my).

Unlike other spots in Kota Kinabalu, the view here is unobstructed and looks out over the sea and nearby islands. Come for the golden sunsets and stay for cocktails and a meal. The bar has two sections, and the outdoor area with seating near the infinity pool is the best spot to enjoy those sweeping vistas. Bar eats, cocktails, beer and dinner with a view are why people come and there aren’t many rooftop bars in Malaysia that look out onto the sea, so this is a bit of a treat.

Hotel Grandis, 1 Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (08 852 2875/fb.com/skyblubar).

Strategically positioned, this bar offers views of stunning tropical island sunsets over the famed Pantai Cenang. Having the advantage of being the closest to a rooftop bar in Langkawi, Nest Rooftop is also known for its deliciousfood offerings and is a popular breakfast and dinner spot with good vegetarian options. There are barbecue nights, rooftop cinema evenings and that constant holiday vibe we all love so much. Take note that Nest doesn’t serve alcohol but allows guests to bring their own; corkage is charged and depends on what you bring. Langkawi is a duty-free island so there’s a great selection of cheap booze around. We don’t condone excessive alcohol consumption, but when in Rome…

1659 Jalan Pantai Cenang, Langkawi, Kedah (fb.com/nestrooftop).

Situated on top of the Bayview Hotel in the heart of George Town, Three Sixty is the original rooftop bar of Penang. There’s also the famed revolving restaurant here, where diners can have a different view with every course. The bar is just outside the restaurant with views of the sea, surrounding UNESCO heritage zones and almost all of George Town. On the cocktail menu are the usual suspects alongside some unusual house specials, including the Bell Tower with a base of bell pepper-infused gin. George Town is very pretty when viewed from up top and this is the best place for it.

Bayview Hotel George Town Penang, 25A Farquhar Street, George Town, Penang (04 261 3540/360rooftop.com.my).